There are tributes written and tributes sent.
A few have words that convey heartfelt intent.
A mates recollections, so clear and really meant.
The writer, my brother, Charles Holcombe having assumed his public moniker of 'Charlie Holcombe' is writing his tribute obituary, in his ambling distinctive story telling style tells of two country boys growing up together in the same district, from 5 years old to 60 years.
Tells a tale of two bush kids from the same district whose families have been connected by the sheer isolation of a developing agricultural district to a much wider world.
Growing together, schooling together, going different paths from time to time but always retaining the initial bond.
One gets the feeling, this tribute to Don's family can only strengthen the close connection.
Donald Hilton Gunn.
Born 6th November 1955. 4 days before me.
Donald was the third Donald Gunn. The first was born in Scotland, the second in Bombala and the third in Goondiwindi.
The Hilton came from his grandfather Hilton Doyle.
First time I remember meeting Donald was in the town park. He was a confident 5-year-old and I was still hiding behind mum’s dress.
Mum told me that Robert McKay was the only one more shy than me but then came the Doolin twins.
I didn’t have a lot to do with Donald in the early years but remember him at the Polo with a shortened polo stick bashing balls all over the place. I was in awe of his power and accuracy.
Donald went to Toowoomba Prep. I went to Kings prep.
In 1968 I boarded the north west mail at Moree on the way back to school. Donald boarded as well for his first year at Kings. Mrs. Gunn made nice sandwiches. I sat next to Donald. We became firm friends and were constant companions for the next 6 years.
It was so lonely going back to school on the train. It was so melancholy with noise of the train chugging on, pulling up at each town with the train tooting its horn and the guards light flashing. We were all homesick and I was always pleased to have Donald with me. Sometimes we had sleepers but normally would just have a dogbox with hard seats to sleep on. In the winter there was a hot water container to keep our feet warm.
It was different story coming home. Donald had access to a hire car with a driver called George. He would insist that we had clean shoes and would drop us at Central railway station ready for the trip home. Donald and I would thank him profusely and then change our clean shoes for dirty riding boots and head for the nearest pub, the Crystal Palace to prepare for the trip home. I remember buying cigarettes for 40 cents and lots of beers. We were never well men when we got off the train next morning in Moree to meet our parents.
Our first 3 terms were at the old school in Parramatta. The school had been there for 130 years but it was now time to move to the new school in north parramatta. In August of that year Donald and I with the rest of the school marched out for the last time in front of a crowd of 6000 people.
I’m so pleased that Donald and I were able to be together for that year and be a part of that historic old school. It was a bit like Tom Browns school days and run almost totally by the boys. Great to be a part of.
We were now at the new school. Donald went into Broughton. I went into Bishop Barker and then to Harris.
Donald played a big part in the school.
Earlier on he was a drummer in the band.
He played in the first 11 in cricket.
He was a talented big fullback in rugby and I mean big.
He was a CUO and company commander of C company in the corps.
And he was a school monitor.
Everyone knew that Donald was going to be a school monitor, he just had that leadership about him, but everybody was absolutely amazed when I was also becoming a school monitor.
At the beginning of our last year school monitors had to go back to school a few days early to prepare the school for the upcoming year.
Donald and I once again boarded the north west mail at moree destined for Sydney.
We decided to head for the refreshment room for a cup of tea.
Unfortunately, Stuart McWilliam was already ensconced in there looking for a drinking partner. He found 2. He was heading to Sydney for business.
It didn’t seem to worry him that we were only 17 on our way back to school.
One thing led to another and things were not looking good. Donald went down and became firmly wedged in the carriageway on his back. The carriageway dimensions were no match for Donald’s. I tried to move him. This was difficult as I was flat out keeping my feet, and was ricocheting from wall to wall.
The carriageway began to block up with people on their way to the water closet. They couldn’t get round him and most certainly couldn’t get over him.
Ever the problem solver Donald suggested we drag him by the feet up to where the carriageway widened. This proved to be a very successful operation.
We were a couple of bedraggled looking school monitors at Kings next day.
Donald was an impressive figure in the corp. As I said before he was a CUO and company commander of C company. He must have pulled a few strings because I ended up being the warrant officer of C company.
So once again we were together.
Our fathers had been as well, but they were in the real army fighting for keeps, in the jungles of New Guinea.
Dad was wounded and ended up in hospital in Port Moresby. A few days later Wally was also wounded and ended up in the same ward with Dad. They were there for 3 months. Great friends.
Luckily for Donald and me and the rest of us that generation secured our freedom.
Meanwhile back at school Donald and I were pretty much in in the same grade in the classroom. It wasn’t the top grade. It wasn’t that we weren’t smart. It’s just that we had other things on our minds.
Donald was far more interested in what was going on at Kildonan.
Horses and cattle were his passion as it was for the rest of his family. They were famous for it.
I had stayed at Kildonan at different times and it was always a great experience. It was there that I met Bruce Spence, Sliprail, Bertie and other legends. Donald had also stayed with me at Polatingle.
Donald loved the magazine Hoofs and Horns with all the latest news.
Donald also loved the western books Larry and Stretch. I did as well. We had a big collection.
Larry and Stretch were the wests toughest trouble shooters. They never looked for trouble but somehow it found them. Donald and I thought of ourselves as Larry and Stretch but their dimensions were slightly different to ours.
Stretch Emerson was 6 foot 6 ins, lantern jawed and a beanpole of a man.
Larry Valentine was called runt as he was only 6ft 4. He was ruggedly handsome.
I actually used one of the novels for my school certificate and passed with flying colors.
Donald Gunn had a wonderful sense of humor and some wonderful sayings.
Donald loved repeating this ditty. The morning of the mard I saw him ride, he stood 6ft tall and weighed 245. Kind of broad at the shoulders and narrow at the hips and everybody knew to give no lip to big Don.
I got into it as well but big Charlie didn’t seem to have the same ring as big Don.
One day we were sitting in the Futter Hall at Kings. Futter was a big cavernous hall holding about 1000 people.
As school monitors, we were sitting on the edge about half way down near one of the doors.
The door kept banging in the breeze. I was sitting close to it and was the obvious one to get up and shut it.
I said, Gunn I should really shut that door but I’m too nervous to get up in front of the whole school.
Donald looked straight ahead with a serious look on his face and said, when are you going to be a man Holcombe.
I got straight up and shut the door and became a man.
Amazingly we both passed the higher school certificate thanks to larry and stretch for me and so began a round of parties. The Gunn’s had a big one at Kildonan. Half our year attended. It was a great night. Mark Kirkby of Moree also had a big New Year’s Eve and there were many others.
They were happy days.
Some years later it was another big event when Donald married Jan Doolin. Lots of his friends from school came up to share the occasion. It was a wonderful day.
The Doolin’s too were passionate about horses and stock.
Donald was one of the best when it came to horses. He had wonderful hand eye coordination. This showed through in his cricket and other sporting pursuits. The sport of cutting became his passion. He was revered.
I lost touch with Donald over the years but we always remained mates. He was there for my wedding in 1991 to Cathy Billing.
I went to see him in Brisbane when he had a stroke aged only 41. It looked to me as though there would be little chance of recovery.
He proved me wrong. With the wonderful support of Jan, Jamie and Candy he recovered to the point where he was able to go home. He was able to live a relatively independent life, was able to drive a motor car and more importantly see his children grow up. He lived for another 25 years after that stroke which was quite remarkable.
Last week I went to see him with the knowledge that his time had come.
He opened his eyes and looked at me and I said who it was and he seemed to have some response.
I’m glad I was there.
It was good to see Jan again. She has been so loyal. Also, great to get to know Jaimie and Candy
Jamie is a great bloke and has been a real rock for all the family.
Candy is a delight. Terrific sense of humor. She has a son called Jack. Lovely that Donald got to know his grandson.
While I was seeing Donald, I met Eves twins. So much like how I remember the original Doolin twins. Absolutely lovely.
Donald Gunn was a big man.
He was big hearted.
Generous to a fault.
Wonderful sense of humor.
Remarkable horseman.
The most loyal friend that one could have.
I’m so proud to have had Donald Gunn as a friend.
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